Sienna or Odyssey

Well, Jeff and I are looking in earnest now for that stupid minivan. My car made some highly unhealthy noises this weekend, and it seems to be telling us "I am dying a slow and highly painful death...put me out of my misery!" And I can tell you, I have no desire to deal with it's death on my own while toting a 6 year old, an increasingly heavy and kicking baby around my middle, and all of this with a heart condition.Anyway, my dear friend Asten (aka Honeybunches) suggested at the beginning of this whole thing that a Sienna would be a good choice. Asten said this out of his obsessive, but very cute, total love and devotion to everything Toyota. He will be pleased to know that after an extensive search of Consumer Reports, Kelly Blue Book Values, Child Safety Ratings, etc. that it is one of the finalists. Assuming we can find a good one for sale, it is between a Honda Odyssey or the Toyota Sienna. We decided not to go new with this one and try for a 2003, since we are looking to buy a house and furnish a nursery all within the near future. Ah, the joys of being middle aged!! What could be more fun than buying a minivan?
Having to be the one to drive it of course!!!

I'm Still Alive...But Barely!!

It has been a long time since my last post! That is because this has been the week from hell. Students came back to school on Monday, so I am back to work full time. I love my new class, it is full of sweet, curious, six year olds. It is absolutely amazing to me though how much energy it requires every day to corral and teach a classroom of 30 of these people. You get a little soft over the summer, and you kind of have to work up to it again. The sad thing for me this year is...I don't have enough energy to keep a flea going! I have been in bed by 8:45 or 9:00 every night. To top things off, I got a nasty head cold on Wednesday.But enough complaining! I am off to enjoy the weekend. I have started a new quilt. My grandma has been asking for a new comforter for her bed for Christmas, so my mom thought of her and I making her a quilt instead. I am always so excited when I start a new project!! I am in love with this one. It is a design called Granny's Bloomers, and we are using all authentic antique fabric from the 30s and 40s (a personal passion and favorite of mine). In the center of each flower in the design, we are sewing one of my grandma's buttons that she has collected through the years. I hope it is exciting for her to see the fabric from her youth, and the buttons she collected. I am hoping I can get a lot done on it this weekend. It is so nice to quilt right now, since sitting is my heart's favorite activity. As soon as I do too much it is off and zooming at high speeds!

To Medicate or Not to Medicate...

To Medicate or Not to Medicate...
Today I have been struggling with whether or not to call Evan's psychologist...In February of last year he was diagnosed with a Reading Disability by Millard Public Schools, and he began to be serviced by special education. This was the BIGGEST blessing, and since he began so early in his school career, he made great strides. It made me want to kiss the ground our house is built on, since I know from experience that if we lived in OPS, he would not have received services or even testing yet. (But I will try not to digress into my feelings on the evilness of OPS...) They also said that he was being affected by "something else", something that was contributing to the Reading Disability. Since they are not doctors, they couldn't make a diagnosis, and sent us to a psychologist they recommended. Let's call her Dr. S.Dr. S is the rudest woman I have ever met, and has no business working with children. She had Evan, who is normally a happy go lucky child, dissolved into tears within 5 minutes of the start of his evaluation. He has never before done this at a doctors. Not even when he previously went to a psychologist to work on the effects of the abuse his wonderful biological father dealt him. This of course was a red flag to us. Later in phone conversations, she actually said to me that "Evan's teacher hates him and just wants him out of the classroom". Now, I work in the classroom next to Evan's Kindergarten teacher. She is the SWEETEST woman you will ever find in a Kindergarten classroom, who treated him with such love and respect that I constantly feel blessed to work with her, and to have had the immense pleasure of having her teach my child. Evan can be quite challenging, but she dealt with him extremely well. I know this from watching her with my own eyes. This was a very LARGE red flag. Anyway, she eventually diagnosed him with a Nonverbal Learning Disorder. We paid $700 out of pocket for Evan's 45 minutes in hell with Dr. S.Next, she recomended that Evan start medication. I have seen the immense benefits of this with many of my students, and have had a gut feeling since Evan was 2 that someday he would need this. So, we went ahead. She put him on an antidepressant. Within 2 days of starting the medication, Evan turned into the devil child. He has very few behavior issues at home, so this was a huge change for him. I was horrified, and felt devastated that I had helped do this to him. Evan was very depressed (ironically) because he was out of control of his own body, and knew he was doing things he shouldn't. Meanwhile, I am reading a book she suggested on Nonverbal Learning Disorders that she told me would be beneficial. I am recognizing none of the symptoms these children have in my own son. So, I called her, told her I was taking him off the medicine, and that it was horrible. She said, "Maybe we have misdiagnosed him. Perhaps,he has ADHD instead and we should try one of those medications." Is this a crap shoot? She told me to call her back at the end of the summer and we would try a new medication.Obviously, I don't trust this woman. Can we afford $700 a pop as we doctor hop trying to find someone who knows what they are doing? No. I am AGONIZING over this decision, especially since I want 1st grade (such a crucial year) to be a success for him.

Back to School Craziness

The back to school rush is upon us, and it is hitting me SOOOO much harder this year than others!!! I am EXHAUSTED once I get home. I told Jeff tonight that I don't feel like I am doing anyone justice. I should be spending more time with Evan, more time with Jeff, more time getting stuff done at home, and more time getting stuff done at school, but I can't seem to muster the energy to do anything at all. This baby is taking all of that for itself! I have been in bed by 8:30 every night this week. Just what I am sure poor Jeff wants in a newlywed wife I am sure! It is also making me feel like I am walking through quicksand at work. It takes me so much longer to do something because I have such a hard time concentrating. I thought if I just got more sleep that would take care of it, but apparently not!!!I have Open House tomorrow. Hopefully I can get through it without yawning in too many people's faces.

UGH!

Today I have to say one of the worst sentences in the world to myself..."I HAVE TO GO BACK TO WORK TOMORROW." Ugh. I absolutely hate the end of summer. It is so hard to get back in the swing of things. I hate to give up my freedom, and all the time that I get to spend with Evan. Yes, I love my job, but I love my job of being Evan's mom even more. Sometimes I REALLY REALLY want to be a stay at home mom. What a hard choice!!! I guess I have the best of both worlds though. I keep wandering what this will feel like when I have two little ones. I wish it was May 31st again!!

Family, Family, and More Family

Today the 3 of us went down to Lake Wa-Con-Da (south of Plattsmouth) where two of my uncles have cabins for a family reunion. It was nice to see some of my great aunts/uncles etc. that aren't around very often. A lot of them were at the wedding, but I didn't get a chance to really talk to them. That is the bad thing about being the bride or groom at a wedding. You have about 10 seconds with each guest. Just enough time to say hi and thanks for coming. It was sad for me to see some people I rarely get to talk to for 10 seconds. While we were there, Jeff and I made our big announcement to the Micek side of the family. I think they were a little shocked at first, but REALLY excited and supportive. My dad has started a "grandchildren race" with his 8 brothers and sisters. It's funny that in a family of 10 children, he is already in 3rd place with four grandkids. His goal of course is 1st, which would require the four of us in my family to produce 12 kids!!! I guess that is only 3 apiece, but we'll see. Might not be too hard, since my brother in law Luke really wants at least 6, but more like 8. Jeff and I are shooting for 4, so I guess maybe we have my dad covered. It is funny to see how competetive he is with his siblings about EVERYTHING!!! I can't wait until my sister tells them her big news too. So many babies, so little time!

Should I Have Been a Secretary?

All of my life, I have had a secret desire to be a secretary. I love answering phones, writing emails, feeling offical, and especially-OFFICE SUPPLIES!!! This was confirmed to me last night when I was at church. I am on the school board at Mary Our Queen, and the members help with tuition night every year at the beginning of school. I got to fill out paperwork, answer questions, and use-OFFICE SUPPLIES!!! I had the best time. Of course, when picking my life profession I thought to myself, if I am a secretary (or whatever other politically correct name they have these days) I won't make any money. So, I cleverly became a teacher where I make a lot of money. HA! Don't get me wrong-I love teaching, and children, and the creativity involved with my job. But every once in awhile, like last night, I think to myself, what if I had been a secretary? I am going in this morning for my quad blood test at the doctors. It checks for the presence of four mail birth defects in the baby, like spina bifida, cerebal palsy, and other neural tube defects. I am a little nervous, but will let you know how it goes. Evan and I are finally officially on Jeff's health insurance so I can feel a lot of relief every time I visit the doctor. Which is often these days.

Lazy Butt and Bobby Ewing

Well, it's 11:30 in the morning, and I am still in my pajamas. One of my last days to do this! The last two days I have been in my classroom working to get it put back together. One of the things that has always baffled me about being a teacher is how they make you pack everything away in May-simply so they can VACUUM THE WHOLE CARPET- and then take it right back out again in August! Can't they just move the dumb furniture? I guess it proves my theory that the actual people in charge of a school are the custodial engineers. Not that I don't TOTALLY appreciate them when they are after the Phantom Pooper (a story for another entry) at my school, or when I have a puker in my classroom. Anyway, so the last two days I have been moving, lifting, and climbing. The combination of this and the heat seems to have set off my pregnancy induced Tachycardia. This is a condition I also had while pregnant with Evan, which involves my heart rate blasting up to 140-165 beats per minute, while I am SITTING STILL. It's a bit like doing aerobics without lifting a finger. Exhausting yes, but prevents excessive weight gain in pregnancy. Hey, got to look at the bright side, you know? So, I decided to take today a little easy before I have to go back at it tomorrow. Which explains why I am still in my pjs. Jeff is obsessed with the show Dallas. Yes, the one from the 70s/80s. He has bought the first three seasons on DVD, and has slowly been making his way through the first three seasons. I tried to ignore the show at first, but I think I may be hooked, even though it is ridiculous. The depressing thing about this show, is that just by looking at the clothes they are wearing, it could be being shot in 2005! It's that Bobby that did it. Patrick Duffy was a lot more attractive in his younger days! I might go watch an episode since I am sitting on my rear end today.

Driver's License

Well, today I officially switched to my married name. I went to the DMV and got my new driver's license, and over the weekend Jeff and I changed my name and added his to all of our accounts. My Micek is slowing disappearing!! I actually added Micek as an extra middle name, but it's not the same.I am a little surprised at how sad I am not to officially have Micek as my last name. I also had a new student come in to meet me at school today, and to hear the principal and secretary talking about me to her as Mrs. Kleffman really drove everything home for me. If it weren't so confusing for children to have their mom with a different last name, I think I would have stayed Micek.

Baby Showers

My mom and I went to a baby shower last night for the wife of one of my cousins. Of course, while we were there, everyone kept teasing me about when Jeff and I were going to start, and how my mom surely wanted a granddaughter. I SOOO wanted to spill the beans! I didn't say anything though, because it was Sharon's special night, and I wanted her to have the spotlight. I think it would be funny anyway if my sister and I both tell our news at the same time. Sure to make some people drop their teeth I think. People will know soon anyway since I am starting to show a bit. Thank God for the awesome Christi Koch, who has generously lent me her maternity clothes (which are the cutest darned things!) I am now breathing easy in her maternity things, since I can't zip any of my shorts anymore.I took Evan to my doctors appointment yesterday, and he got to hear the baby's heartbeat. He thought it was the neatest thing! It is so much fun to watch him turning into a big brother! We get to go in on September 9th for the big ultrasound and find out what we are having. I can't WAIT!!!!

Wonderful Summer's Day

Today was SOOOOO relaxing! Evan and I went with my parents and brothers Creighton and Ben to my Uncle Tom's cabin on Lake Wa-con-da. It was so nice to forget about everything that I have been doing this summer (wedding, baby worries, school, etc.) and just have fun. We all went swimming for about 2 hours. Evan went tubing for the first time, and absolutely loved it. He is so fearless when it comes to water things. I also got to watch my Dad ski for the first time. I hope I can do things like that when I am 53! After all the water sports we grilled steak. I finally feel like I had a relaxing summer day today.It was nice to spend time with Creighton before he leaves for Colorado. He will be moving to Sterling for the next 6-12 months in connection with his job. I know I am going to be missing him bunches, so it was great to see him today. I hope that he gets back before the babies are born.

The Beginning

Well, several people have been bugging me to do this blog thing, so I am finally giving it a try. I guess this is a good time in life to do so, since it seems as if everything is happening at once!!!I just got married about 2 weeks ago, and Jeff and I are currently arguing over bed space. Only one of us seems to sleep well a night! Last night in his sleep, Jeff kept pushing me over to the side of the bed, so I had to sleep with my legs hanging off the mattress. I think we may have to resort to Lucy/Ricky Ricardo style, and get twin beds. This is depressing!For those of you who don't know yet, Jeff and I are adding a baby to the family in late January. I felt the baby move for the first time on the honeymoon, which was exciting, and made it feel a lot more real.For great wedding pictures, Adam has set up a gallery at:http://www.dogtired.org/gallery/christyjeffwed?page=1He is such an awesome photographer.